Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana celebrates inaugural Legacy Builders Society reception and open house at Don Quijote Restaurant

Don Quijote Restaurant welcomed a plethora of donors, executive staff, volunteers, and community members for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana (NWI) for an evening of celebration. Restaurant owners Carlos Rivero & Elena Jambrina graciously hosted the inaugural Legacy Builders Society reception and open house to honor the creation of a new giving society focused on creating sustainability for the nonprofit.

Mike Jessen, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater NWI, believes the Legacy Builders Society is a symbol of consistency and support for the organization and the kids who attend their nine clubs across the region.

“When we pitched the idea of the Legacy Builders Society, it was something that’s entirely different from what we’ve had in the past,” Jessen said. “The impact on sustainability will be significant as we work to provide life-changing programming and mentorship for kids. One of our top priorities is making sure we can make these kids feel safe. At our Clubs, kids know that there’s a caring, reliable adult that’s going to pour into their life on a consistent basis.”

The new Legacy Builders Society has launched this month with 17 individuals or couples as founding members, committing to high level annual support for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater NWI. With giving levels such as Advocate, Leader, Champion, Life Changer, Community Changer, and Visionary Founder, this founding group of donors’ impact is remarkable.

“We heavily rely on donations from corporate partners and individuals,” Jessen said. “With the creation of this new giving society, we enter a new era on individual donor support. What the Legacy Builders Society does is provide us with a group of people who we can count on year after year to support our mission.”

These committed donors who choose to give back to Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater NWI are focused on providing resources that allow the organization to help youth gain merit and apply it to what they want to do in the future.

Jacki Stutzman is a longtime donor of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater NWI, now a Visionary Founding member of the Legacy Builders Society. She has known Jessen for many years, and loves to get involved however she can.

“Mike has been a dear friend of mine for years,” Stutzman said. “We talk about a variety of different projects, and that’s usually how I get involved. I made a donation to one of the organization’s capital campaigns. It’s great because the donations that we are giving now are going to go on for years and support the future of our kids.”

Some donors first became affiliated with Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater NWI through family members or friends. Others were able to participate in a front row experience to see how the organization applies programs and opportunities that bring out the best in local students. Stewart and Kathryn McMillan, Legacy Builder Society Visionary Founders, support the mission as a team.

“I got involved because of the Youth of the Year leadership competition,” said Stewart. “They have a speech competition every year, and I was a judge for that. When I saw how these youth were able to speak in front of the crowd and the skills they were teaching them, that’s when I first got involved; it’s pretty amazing what they do. We are supporting Boys & Girls Clubs because of the impact it will have on the youth for several generations.”

“Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater NWI is building the strong men and women that are going to become this community’s future,” adds Kathryn McMillan. “They’re teaching young people about the skills they need to be able to grow, learn, and find success on their path to adulthood.”

The Legacy Builders Society appeals to donors who are looking to have broad impact across the community. 

“Club kids are all of our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren,” said Joanne Urschel, Legacy Builders Society founding member. “We are a community, and they are all of our children. We need to take good care of our children in order to truly care for our community.”

A certificate of appreciation was presented to long-time Valparaiso Club donor and volunteer, Diane Chilian. Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana also presented a certificate of appreciation to Carlos Rivero and Elena Jambrina of Don Quijote Restaurant for their ongoing support of the organization, most recently through hosting the Inaugural Legacy Builders Society reception and open house. 

“We’re so thankful for Carlos and Elena, our partners in this new endeavor,” said Denise Koebcke, Vice President of Philanthropy for Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater NWI. “Their willingness to support their community in creative ways makes a crucial difference, and we can’t thank them enough for that.”

For more information on Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, you can visit bgcgreaternwi.org.